Summary. Retrospect. Review. Conclusion. Rundown. Synopsis.Whatever you want to call it. The most comprehensive blog I can think of after that Epic 16-day Mindanao Challenge.
Before anything else, do read the initial plan, a month before my big trip: Mindanao Php400/day Backpacking Challenge
The Cheapo
Barbecue: Php2.00/stick at Butuan City Crossing.
Accommodation: Php 30, found in Cateel, Davao Oriental. I didn’t booked here because I was staying in a friend’s house.
Beverage: Php25 for a half-gallon of Tuba at Samal Island.
Squids: Php30 for 600grams of fresh squids at Gumasa, Glan, Saranggani
Coffee: Php4.00/cup at Mati City. But its not available anymore.
Cheapest Brewed Coffee found at Panaderia sa Mati City, Davao Oriental.
Fare: Php5.00 tricycle at Bislig City, Surigao del Sur
Most Tipid Day: Days 1 (and 4). Thanks to Kuya Avel of GenSantos.com, I would not be able to do this without him.
The Pricey
Fare: Php 200 for the Habal-habal gasoline, road trip from Cateel, Dava to Lingig, Surigao del Sur
Entrance Fee: Montfort Bat Cave, paid Php 60 during the night tour.
Food: Php 65.00 lunch at Butuan City.
Beverage: Php30 for a 350ml of Biasi (sugarcane wine) at Mati City
Biasi container at Mati City
Accommodation: Php200 at Tagum City
Most Expensive day: Day 15 where I spent Php 711.00. It was a road trip from Davao Oriental to Surigao del Sur to Agusan del Sur to Agusan del Norte and it was tiring.
WORTH VISITING AGAIN- THE BEST
The best white beach: It’s a choice between Gumasa, Glan, Saranggani and Dahican Beach, Mati City and the big “W” goes to Dahican beach, home of the Amihan boys! A mile stretch of unspoiled white sand beach perfect for skimboarding. Add reggae music and you are in paradise.
Sunrise at Dahican Beach. I can wake up every morning here.
The most stunning view: The Sleeping Dinosaur, Mati City
The Sleeping Dinosaur (Photo credit: Mati's Pride blog)
Nominees for the best experience during my entire 16-day stay in Mindanao
-Sleeping in my hammock at Gumasa white beach.
-Food-tripping at Gen.Santos City
-Meeting of the Mayors at South Cotabato
-Planting mangroves at Samal Island
-Skimboarding at dahican Beach, Mati City
-Cateel Day tour on a habal-habal
-Relaxing Swim at Enchanted River, Surigao del Sur
Best Experience Ever goes to: Planting 16 mangrove seedlings at the Vanishing Island, Island Garden City of Samal. Its always good to give something back to nature. Plus, I can always go back to Samal Island.
This is were we planted the 16 Mangrove Seedlings
The best treat I had: Mayor Peter Miguel of Koronadal City, booked a pension house for me (MD Square). It’s air-conditioned, clean not to mention the hot-shower bath and fresh towel (Unexpected Treat: Warm Welcome at Koronadal City).
Most Beautiful Island saw: Waniban Island, Mati City, Davao Oriental
Waniban Island (Photo credit: Lorenz)
Most used thing in my bag: Cellphone- for tweeting, texting and calling “someone.”Other than my mobile phone? Camera.
Most Amazing Waterfalls: Aliwagwag Falls
Nature at its Best: Enchanted River
Arguably the most beautiful river in the Philippines
Most Grandiose Capitol Bldg: A tie between Sultan Kudarat and Davao Oriental.
Sultan Kudarat Capitol Building
Davao Oriental Capitol
Most Grandiose City Hall: Hands down, Tagum City. Let’s wait until its finished next year, 2012.
Most hospitable locals: Amihan boys at Dahican Beach. Runner ups: Kuya Avel (Gen.Santos City); Bosing Gerald (Koronadal City); Kuya Rexall & Ate Frances (Samal Island); CIO staff (Tagum City); Kuya Nonoy (Cateel).
FOOD and BEVERAGE
Alcoholic beverages drunk: 1 SanMig Light, 2 Tanduay Ice, 6 shots of Red horse, 1.5 liters of Tuba (Spent Php125 in all of these, most are free)
Pinaka-solb na kain: Lunch buffet at Davao City. See my plate?
Salad, Sushi Rolls and Tuna Sashimi. Appetizer palang yan
Best Soup tasted: Manny’s Balbakua at Koronadal City
Best Coffee sipped: Blugre’s Durian Coffee at Davao City. Thanks again Kim & MJ of LakwatserangBayong.
Just telling what I observed…
Most Annoying Experience: Day 13. When I was trying to retrieve my corrupted photos in an uber bagal internet shop in Cateel biglang nag-brown out. I wasn’t able to blog my Days 12-13 experiences.
Worst Beach Experience: Canibad Beach, Samal Island. You are forever bugged by the owners to pay Php20 when you stay inside their property which is actually for public use because its 20 meter before the shoreline. Not only that, the shore is dirty- a sad reality. I hope the private owners of the beach would do something about that beach.
For Math & Geography Geeks
Number of Cities Visited: 11. Gen.Santos City, Koronadal City, Tacurong City, Davao City, Island Garden City of Samal, Tagum City, Panabo City, Mati City, Bislig City, Bayugan City and Butuan City.
Number of Provinces Visited: 10. South Cotabato, Saranggani, Sultan Kudarat, Davao del Sur, Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental, Compostella Valley, Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Sur, Agusan del Norte.
Rundown of Blog Posts & Daily Expenses:
Preparation before the Mindanao Php400/day Backpacking Challenge
Day 1- Surprises! Meet the Mayor and the SOX Bloggers (Php 50)
Day 2- Relax: Gumasa White Beach, Glan, Saranggani (Php 513)
Day 3- Unexpected Treat: Warm Welcome at Koronadal City, South Cotabato (Php 398)
Day 4- Road Trip & More: Lake Sebu to Isulan, Sultan Kudarat then back to Gen.Santos City (Php 400)
Day 5- Blessings: Hitchhike from GenSan to Davao & Food Trip with LakwatserangBayong (Php 0)
Day 6- Green: Planted 16 Magrove Seedlings at the Vanishing Island, Samal Island (Php 375) (RECOMMENDED)
Day 7: Samal Island Tour (Php 509)
Day 8: Interviewed by Travel & Living Channel (Php 419) (RECOMMENDED)
Day 10: From City To Paradise (Php 326)
Day 11: Sun, Sand & Skimboard at Dahican Beach (Php 367)
Day 12: Island Hopping at Mati City Coast (Sorry corrupted photos, will publish as soon as I retrieved my photos) (Php165)
Day 13: In Transit From Mati City to Cateel (Php 369)
Day 14: 5 Places to See While in Cateel, Davao Oriental (Php 274)
Day 15: Serenity at Enchanted River (Php 711) (RECOMMENDED)
Day 16: Rediscovering the Historic Butuan City (Php 384)
Total Expenses: Php 5, 797 (or US$ 133.33)
Average Daily Expenses: Php 362.31 (or UD$ 8.33). Which means I have a surplus of around Ph 40.00 (less than a dollar) a day. SUCESSFUL CHALLENGE, huh!
In conclusion:
I am successful with my challenge of spending only Php400/day, in fact, I am averaging only Php362.31/day. But I wasn’t able to reach my target of 2,000 Facebook Likes and 1,000 Twitter Followers. It’s okay, I’m not a celebrity naman…hahaha Looking on it from a different perspective, I gained 265 FB likes and 200 Twitter Followers.
Sunrise at Dahican beach
But what makes this Challenge Unforgettable is the many friends I gained along the way, people from all walks of life, people of all ages and experiences. Better yet, all of them told me to bring some friends (or the special someone) along next time. Better still, a lot of opportunities are opening right into my eyes.
In all of these blessings, I want to thank the God who made this earth for us to enjoy. BLESS THE LORD O MY SOUL AND ALL THAT IS WITHIN ME. BLESS THE LORD O MY SOUL AND FORGET NOT ALL HIS BENEFITS! (Psalm 103)
Praise God for gifts like this..
and hats off to you for showing us what much beauty the Philippines offer.. hats off too for showing us that there is more to life..
its so amazing to note that one can really experience grandeur even in simple ways.. i am happy that you had this chance (although i know there will be more to come)…
thank you for bringing the beach closer to me again (kahit sa pictures lang).. it gives me energy and hope to live each day with much hope..
ingat sa susunod na mga byahe..
life is an adventure to be enjoyed not a problem to be solved!
thank you so much for following the journey… God bless you!
wow! i’m so inggit with your experience. planning to do that sort of thing too when i get to have my 3month leave application. can’t wait. thanks for the shared info.ü
wow! 3-month leave. i know it will be a blast too!
let me know if its approve na and where you are planning to go.
spend less, travel more!
Pingback: I Won a RUNNR Shirt! | "on a shoestring"
The friends you gained along the way is a much deserved reward for a successful challenge… Congratulations James!!!
yes! i cant repay them for their goodness and kindness to a traveler like me. will definitely pay it forward
Congrats for the success of this epic journey James! You’re right, the best talaga ang Dahican.
thanks earl! yes, its so family!
im planning to just stay there for 2-3 weeks and also document the pawikan laying eggs on its shore.
aaaahhhh! eto pla ung kwento mo! masaya un pagnakita mo pawikan laying eggs! then video ntin!!!
yes! i wanna go back there na… soon!!!tara
Very Soon!!!!
super applause James for this successful challenge. it’s a great addition to your one-of-a-kind experience.
btw, anong bbq yung P2 lang? =)
naks! salamuch chyng!
pork bbq along the streets of butuan.. wasn’t able to take photos coz im too tired and hungry na.
masarap din! sabi nila, nami na, barato pa!
I wish I could do a long travel like this. Definitely a helpful guide. I just found your blog and will definitely read the rest of your Mindanao trip.
Cheers!
Join us on September for the SEX (Socsargen EXperience) Tour 3. You are always welcome here in Gensan.
Congrats James! I’m glad you had a great time in Gensan, my awesome hometown.
indeed! ayos sa gensan
I did not think it was possibly to travel within the financial limit you set. Thank the Pinoy and their inborn hospitality, whether you are relative, a friend, a friend of a friend or a foe…they welcome you with open arms.
I experienced Pinoy hospitality when I was a student on field work, a government employee doing field work, and a bum screwing around the country. I never cease to be amazed with their hospitality.
Why do the ones with less share more of what little they have and the ones who have the most, keep it to themselves?
.
Keep on traveling but do forget the ones who treat you well with no expectation in return. They are my unrewarded and unappreciated heroes. They should be yours, too.
this should be a statement: “Why do the ones with less share more of what little they have and the ones who have the most, keep it to themselves?”
hahaa
that’s my observation, although not everyone who have the most.
Enchanted River is amazing! Why is it so blue? Also adding Waniban Island to my list of places to visit in the Philippines.
game grace?!! hahaha
i saw more islands pa pero di ko na inexplore dahil kulang sa time.
its so blue bec its so deep, like more than 200ft deep.
ang galing mo james! kayang kaya pala talaga! san ang next challenge?:)
madami pa kailangang matutunan on the road.
net challenge? still thinking about it. needs more practice before the 100days
amazing adventure in mindanao
congratulations james 
thanks pre! more travels to come
I still cant get over your 2-peso barbecue stick and the view of the Sleeping Dinosaur. Congrats dude you did it!
why? meron na akong pinublish na Php1 sa pagadian adventures diba? hehe
Talaga, hahaha di ko nakita yun, panalo. You already!
haha! eto yung link: http://journeyingjames.com/2011/05/pagadian-adventures-the-one-peso-barbecue/
that’s unbelievable!
woot! congrats
thanks jerome! ikaw naman..hahaha
great adventure James! inggit ako!!!
thanks cindy! haha
pwede mo din naman gawin, para di ka mainggit..
Pingback: Barefoot Running at Dahican Beach, Mati City | "on a shoestring"
Wow. Enchanting River is Enchanting!
Sana makapunta rin ako dyan. Basahin ko ulit ang complete Mindanao Challenge Series. Congrats James! North naman! 
yup, nabigla talaga ako… no plans of swimming, pero na-charm ako super. haha
salamat sa suporta micamyx!haha
north? ipon muna or sana may mag-sponsor
WOW! the figures here seems like the price you’d see 15 years ago… UNBELIEVABLE!
and that enchanted river is truly enchanting.
Congrats J.James… san ang next?
ganun ba fliptravels? medyo magastos pa nga ata ako.. haha
next? ipon at kailangan ng rumaket! haha
James James.. Na-inggit na naman ako! While reading this post, I’ve been wondering what would’ve transpired if I was able to join you here even for a few days. Sayang lang I already used up my VL kasi last April.
Sobrang ganda na naman ng adventures mo. Can’t say anything more.
Kudos and congrats to you James. So kelan ka pala namin makikita sa TLC? When’s the airing? Excited to watch your interview, pa-autograph ulit sa dibdib ha? lol!
sayang talaga pre..tsk tsk
TLC? wait lang tayo pero kung local media, ok din yun diba? dreams come true pre!
sa dibdib? kulitan lang!
asteeeg!!! 400 per day is a challenge indeed!!! Congrats!
asteeeeg? talaga? hahaha thanks bave!
The river is really enchanting…
way to go James! looking forward sa next adventure mo..
thanks ms.nat!
more of visayas siguro… need to explore more of it..hehehe
Thanks for sharing this James. It will be my 3rd time in Davao this August and im convinced to spend it in Mati this time!
great! please say my regards to the amihan boys. better yet, take photos of them and post it on my facebook: http://facebook.com/journeyingjamesFB
thanks ms.rina! enjoy dahican beach!
i have been in mati too…and it’s incredibly a beautiful place… Look at the vanishing island that’s found in mati city in my blog…
http://mytravelanywhere.blogspot.com/2011/07/vanishing-island-in-mati-city-davao.html
yes ms.liezl, i was able to go at the vanishing island. i actually swam from the boat to check it out.
ganda ng mati noh? the best!
Hey!, I like ur Adventure!…
thanks a lot! cjohne!
i have lotsa adventures, what do you like about them the most?
wow! 400/day in mindanao? this is amazing.. sana magaya ko to.. thanks for sharing your experiences
yeah! kaya yan, disiplina lang at determinasyon.
i did 250/day in western visayas lasy year. that’s more challenging.
Haaayyy…panalo ka talaga Kuya James! Congrats at nagawa mo to! Nung nakita ko yung title ng post mo sa CS, naisip ko talaga, ang barat naman nito…ahaha! Ikaw pala yon. Ang galing talaga ng budget skills at discipline mo. Ano na kayang plano mo next? May long weekend, malamang magaadventure ka ulit…=)
ahahaha, barat? ouchie! nope, i just want to tell that pinoys can travel too and money (or lack of) is not an alibi not to travel.
bicol this sept and then a big trip the whole month of october to learn something.
Like,like,like=)… sorry!no, not to put you down. yun lang talaga ang naisip ko initially. How can you fit in 6,400 for two weeks traveling to ~10 different provinces in Mindanao? It’s mind blowing, transpo palang baka ubos na to.Then oh, it’s JourneyingJames, you’ll find ways to do that. And of course, you proved it again. Ano ba official work mo? how do you find time to travel in this corporate world?=)
ahahaha! your comment made me smile!
thanks jedi.
i’m just a traveler and i dont have a corporate world.. just mountains and beach.
It’s a pity that Surigao City and Surigao Norte were not included in your Mindanao challenge
hi david! indeed it was a pity. im so sorry about that and i know i missed a lot.
anyway, i’ll be back and will surely visit surigao city and surigao norte next time. btw, i’ve been to surigao city before, i really want on the pebble beach.
james, saan ba ang next travel advenure mo?can i join? May alam ka bang mga groups na mahilig mag-travel in he philippines?what are they websites?can i join them? hope to hear from you soon. Thanks. Good luck in your future travel adventures…..joel of Bicol (0918)4237719
hi joel! im going to legazpi ang calaguas then naga next week sept 21-26
godbless
punta ka rin sana sa tinuy-an falls in bislig city, britannia islands and cagwait beach in surigao del sur
i wasnt able to see those places na bec of time constraint and limited budget..haha
ohh my, i think i´ll be reading til dawn. I´m definitely hooked with your travel stories. Good job James! Keep travelling and inspiring us to do the same.:)God bless.
ahahaha! thanks for reading batiriday
The Majestic Island of the Philippines!
Tama ba?
wow! enchanted river…sa amin sa caraga yan..thanks, mr. james!
tanong ko lang. ano ang pinakaserene na island para sayo?
Hi James,
Thanks for visiting Mindanao. You are an amazing traveler. I hope to read more of your trips soon. I am also into traveling but hands down to your very unique and exciting experiences. And thanks too for caring for Pablo victims. I read in a separate entry.
thanks for reading the blog alfred. i really love mindanao, i want to live there. haha
hope you continue to explore our beautiful country